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Gree recalls 12 brands of dehumidifiers due to serious fire and burn hazards. The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke and catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact Gree to receive a refund.
Link to article:
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Gree-Recalls-12-Brands-of-Dehumidifiers/

The Madison Health Department would like to remind residents with dogs to be mindful of their neighbors and ensure their dog isn't chronically howling, barking, and/or disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
Ordinance 15-2005
§ 59-12. Howling or barking dogs.
No person shall keep within the Borough any dog causing a nuisance and disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood in which it shall be kept by chronically howling, barking and/or making and causing other sounds or noises.

Here's How to Safely Dispose Unwanted Medications..
To safely dispose of expired or unwanted medicine, you can either:
-Visit the Madison Police Department at the Public Safety Building. They are offering a 24 Hour Secure Drug Take Back Program and will dispose medicines according to safety and environmental standards.
OR
-Mix the medicine with an unpalatable taste (like used coffee ground, or kitty litter), seal the mixture and then dispose of it in the household trash. Make sure all personal information on the label is scratched out and unreadable.
To learn about what medicines should be flushed, and more information on prescription substance abuse, please visit the Safe Medication Disposal page by clicking on the following link.
https://www.rosenet.org/gov/health/pages/safe-medication-disposal

Rodent activity causes damage to homes and food supplies each year. They can also spread diseases to humans directly, from bites or contaminated food, or indirectly from ticks and fleas. More information is available on https://www.rosenet.org/gov/health/pages/health-info-and-happenings .

My hygienist, Kay wrote this blog that I thought I would share with you
“YOUR TOOTH IS LOOSE!”
Over the past 17 years that I have worked with Dr. Samuel Romano, as a Dental Hygienist, we have told patients who range in age from 2 years old to 90+ years old that they have a loose tooth. I have found that the reaction varies according to what age you are when you hear this news.
For example, Children are so excited to hear they have a loose tooth. Losing a tooth between the age of six and thirteen is a natural process. The wiggling begins with thoughts of the tooth fairy and joining their peers who have lost teeth all ready. It is a fun and exciting time.
However, adults feel a mix of emotions, such as, anxiety, shock, and sadness upon hearing the news of a loose tooth. As adults we expect to keep our teeth a lifetime. Our teeth are useful for speech, nourishment and who can resist a smile.
There are various reasons an adult can have a loose tooth.
First of all, the way your teeth fit together when you bite may cause a tooth to become mobile.
Let’s face it there is more stress living and working in New Jersey than North Carolina. This stress can cause us to grind and clench our teeth which can make them loose.
Secondly, if you have a traumatic injury to the tooth from a fall, a sports injury or that child who gives you an accidental headbutt the consequence could be a loose tooth.
Thirdly, if you have gum disease the bone around the tooth weakens causing less support around the tooth. Again a loose tooth can be the outcome from loss of support.
Lastly, a cavity left untreated may result in an infection around the tooth that could weaken the tooth.
There are many reasons why we have loose teeth as adults. However, it is important to remember that there are treatments available that can tighten up those loose teeth.
Check with a Dentist to see what options are best for your situation.
Your smile can last a lifetime!

If you watched a recent episode on Dr. Oz, you would initially think that everyone should race to the dentist and have all their amalgam (silver) fillings removed because of mercury vapors that are released from amalgams. Sensationalism makes money on TV, so may I suggest you watch all three parts of the episode before you call the dentist. The tone at the end is very different than the fear at the beginning.
The debate about amalgam fillings has been going on since the 1980’s when there was concern raised about the mercury that is part of the silver filling. Studies have been done with suggestions that mercury vapors are released from amalgams and in fact, some countries in Europe have banned the use of amalgams. Research still is not complete and part of the issue is that we don’t know how much mercury is released and how much is too much.
The main concern with mercury is that it is neurotoxic – meaning that it affects your nervous system. The following is a list of symptoms that have been associated with mercury toxicity: memory loss, auto immune disorders, fatigue, tremors and the inability to concentrate. Patients who suffer from these conditions may ask to have amalgams removed in an effort to eliminate the symptoms. In fact, over the years, I have had a few patients with multiple sclerosis and others who felt they had metal toxicity, request removal of their amalgams. We developed a plan for those patients and replaced amalgams, but I didn’t see significant improvement in their symptoms. My patient sample in this case was too small and no research study was conducted by me to prove or disprove any theories.
As a dentist who has been practicing for 22 years, these are my thoughts on silver fillings:
• Amalgams are a solid, dependable restoration that many adults have had in their mouths for 30-40 years. I had a 91 year old patient in recently who had stable silver fillings in place for over 50 years!
• Amalgams were a popular material in the past, and are still used by many dentists today, because they are easy to place, hold up for a long time and are inexpensive.
• Amalgams require more tooth removal than the new restorations that we have. Because amalgams don’t bond to teeth, you have to cut an undercut in a tooth to hold it in place. In small cavities, that doesn’t normally present a problem, but with larger cavities it can significantly undermine the tooth and lead to fractures later on.
• There are alternatives to amalgam that are more supportive to the tooth, look better and don’t come with the suspicions associated with amalgam. They range from bonded composites to porcelain crowns and onlays. Because these materials are more technique sensitive and sometime involves multiple visits and lab fees, they cost more than amalgams. I believe the alternative materials are better, and therefore, I don’t place amalgams. For patients with insurance, many times policies will not cover these restorations and pay an “alternative benefit”, which is the fee of the less expensive amalgam. Personally, I have issues with insurance companies deciding which restoration is the ideal material for my patients….but that’s another topic.
• The most exposure to mercury from amalgams is when they are removed and the fillings are aerated. Appropriate suction and isolation are important to limit exposure to patients. Dr. Oz suggests that if you have eight or more fillings you should have them replaced, but I question that because removing eight fillings at once creates a lot of mercury exposure. I would prefer addressing the amalgams as there is a problem, or if there are one or two next to one another, instead of taking them all out at once.
Dr. Oz’s guests discuss the reasons why you might be at greater risk and how you can prevent toxicity. The belief is that grinding teeth together and having high acid levels (from coffee, soda, vinegar, oranges) elicit more mercury vapor. They suggest drinking soda and coffee with a straw (I prefer eliminating soda for many reasons). They recommend incorporating garlic, cilantro and Chlorella (a fresh water algae supplement) in your diet because they all help to bind and remove mercury from the body. They suggest removing amalgams if you have eight or more fillings, if you grind your teeth or if there is a sign of corrosion or decay.
So, what’s my plan….I have seven amalgams in my mouth! They’ve probably been present for at least 35 years. I actually had eight, but had one replaced in dental school with a gold onlay because of decay around the old filling. I have no intention of removing the others until they break, have decay or open margins. I believing in treating my patients the way I would treat myself or my family.
• For me, the biggest reason to replace an amalgam (or any other filling) is because it is no longer doing what it should be doing. If the margins are open, there is a cavity around it or it isn’t supporting the tooth, it needs to come out and be replaced.
• Do I worry about amalgams? No, I don’t worry about the existing amalgams that are in my patients mouths. However, I am very careful when I remove them to limit their exposure to the aerated mercury. Which brings up something to consider…if removing the amalgams puts you at greater risk for neurotoxicity, wouldn’t you expect every dental staff member to have issues since they are the ones constantly being exposed?
I suggest if you have amalgams present, that you have a conversation with your dentist. I urge you to make decisions based on fact and your individual situation, not television hype. I’ve included the link to Dr. Oz, but be sure to watch all three parts of the episode. http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/are-your-silver-fillings-making-you-sick?video=18173

Sam Romano , a Madison, NJ physician/pediatric health professional has been selected by "New Jersey Family" for NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs in the category Dentistry: General: Pediatric.
MADISON, N.J., Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Jersey Family, the essential source for NJ moms, has published its 4th annual list of NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs and is happy to announce that Madison's Sam Romano has been selected through its parent nomination process for the annual recognition.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130118/DC44918 )
New Jersey Family's 2012 listing was published in the December 2012 issue of New Jersey Family magazine and on its website njfamily.com. It includes over 475 of New Jersey's favorite pediatric doctors, dentists, speech/language therapists, and many other professionals, who work hard to keep kids healthy. Being included on the list is like having a trusted word-of-mouth referral from good friends.
About Sam Romano : a short profile by and about the honoree:
"I believe the foundation to a lifetime of good health starts when you are young and continues throughout your life. Your oral health is an important part of your overall well-being. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve the highest level of wellness. We create a safe and comfortable environment where children can learn about the importance of dental care. I have dedicated the past 27 years to caring, integrity, and commitment to my patients."
New Jersey Family magazine had this to say about Sam Romano 's inclusion in their annual recognition: "New Jersey is home to a huge number of excellent pediatric healthcare professionals. Being nominated for NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs means this professional stands out as truly exceptional in the eyes of a very important constituency: the parents. We thank all the parents who submitted over two thousand nominations and heart warming stories, and we owe our congratulations to John Smith . Thank you for your dedication to kids' health."
To find out more or to contact Sam Romano of Madison, NJ, call 973-377-7088, or visit www.DrSamRomano.com.
This press release was written by American Registry, LLC and New Jersey Family with approval by and/or contributions from Sam Romano and was distributed by PR Newswire, a subsidiary of UBM plc.
New Jersey Family's passion and purpose is to be the essential source for NJ moms on everything about parenting in New Jersey. We are committed to excellence in all we do. A professional's inclusion in NJ's Favorite Kids' Docs 2012 does not imply endorsement by New Jersey Family; it is a parent-to-parent-referral resource only. Learn more at http://www.njfamily.com.
American Registry, LLC, recognizes excellence in top businesses and professionals. For more information, search The Registry™ at http://www.americanregistry.com.
Contact Information:
Sam Romano
Phone: 973-377-7088
Email Address: drsam@drsamromano.com
Website: www.DrSamRomano.com
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1yEvt)

Help Us to Help You.
During the recent storm, many people who lost electrical service also lost their phone service. Please take a moment to list your cellphones with the Morris County Reverse 911 system at the following link https://ww2.everbridge.net/citizen/EverbridgeGateway.action?body=home&gis_alias_id=1450761
Please also sign up for Nixle at the following link http://www.rosenet.org/gov/police/pages/social-networking
The more ways we have to communicate with you, the better we can serve and protect you.

I was at meeting of a group of physicians, dentists, speech and physical therapists, other health care providers and the public that works to educate and provide integrated care for children and adults. The focus of the meeting was airway and how it impacts the health and development of children.
“What is airway?”
Airway refers to the passage by which air reaches the lungs.
The issue is that airway can be affected by anatomical issues like large adenoids and tonsils or a deviated septum, congestion, allergies, asthma and a narrow jaw. All these things contribute to a change from healthy nasal breathing through your nose, to mouth breathing. Mouth breathing is not as efficient because of the way the air flows.
“Why is airway important?”
Quite simply, your airway and the shape of it or anything that interferes with it, prevents good breathing and the flow of oxygen to the lungs, and therefore, the brain.
Many children (and adults) who have problems breathing due to allergies or large tonsils and adenoids may snore at night – a sign that their airway is interrupted. Some even have apnea, a situation where the breathing stops for up to a minute at a time, many times throughout the night. The stops in breathing lead to poor sleep.
Consider what happens to a developing child’s brain if there are regular interruptions in oxygen. Snoring in children has been associated with problems in memory, language and poor academic performance.
The AmericanAcademyof Pediatrics thinks airway is so important that they have issued new guidelines for screening children and adolescents for snoring at routine visits.
“What does any of this have to do with ADHD?”
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children is characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity and difficulty focusing.
If a child is not sleeping well because of problems with their airway (or any other reason for that matter) they will be tired. A sleepy child acts different than a sleepy adult. Adults who are tired become withdrawn, and quiet and consider taking a nap. Children, on the other hand, try to keep themselves awake! To do this, they try to move around a lot, seem impulsive or talk to themselves to stay awake. Many doctors believe that children are mistakenly diagnosed with ADHD when really they are suffering from sleep apnea and are just tired.
“What are the signs that my child may have an issue with their airway?”
There are both medical and physical changes that may occur with airway issues.
Medical
Allergies or asthma
Snoring
Large adenoids or tonsils
Bedwetting
Hyperactivity
Physical – because breathing uses so many muscles, visible physical changes are common, many related to tooth and jaw position.
Narrow upper arch
Long, narrow face
Poor tongue posture
Crossbite
Small, poorly developed nostrils
Gummy smile
Open mouth posture (anterior open bite)
Short and turned up upper lip
“What do you do to treat airway issues?”
Removal of adenoid and tonsils helps resolve about 90% of the issues.
Speech and myofunctional therapy that retrain tongue position and encourage nasal breathing.
Orthodontic intervention that expands the jaw and the airway.
Medication to treat allergies or asthma
The most important step in this process is diagnosis. If you suspect airway issues in your child, see their pediatrician, an ear-nose-throat specialist or a dentist who understands airway problems. Remember to be an advocate for your child. You know them better than anyone else so it is your responsibility to find a professional who understands and can help you.